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'He's a hero': Campaign to knight war vet George - the last surviving Dambuster

Flight Sergeant George Johnson, now 92, was a bomb aimer during the famous 1943 raid on Hitler’s heartland

George 'Jonny' Johnson (left) with the rest of his Dambuster raid crew. (SWNS)
George 'Jonny' Johnson (left) with the rest of his Dambuster raid crew. (SWNS)


A campaign is growing to award a knighthood to war hero George Johnson - the last British survivor of the legendary Dambusters.

Flight Sergeant Johnson, now 92, was a bomb aimer during the famous 1943 raid on the dams in Hitler’s heartland.

He survived the mission and 49 other war-time raids with 617 and 97 Squadrons but he and his colleagues have never been officially honoured.

Widower George, of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol has campaigned for those who took part in Bomber Campaign to be officially recognised by the Government.

George 'Johnnie' Johnson, the last Dambuster, with the Canadian Lancaster at RAF Coningsby last week. (SWNS)
George 'Johnnie' Johnson, the last Dambuster, with the Canadian Lancaster at RAF Coningsby last week. (SWNS)



His cause has now been taken up by Stephen Hadley, who has started a petition to have him knighted.

The campaign, launched through Change.org, has already had support from across the country and from as far afield as Los Angeles.


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Kent-based Stephen, 55, who read about George in the news, said:  'It is shocking when you hear that David Cameron's hairdresser gets an award but someone like Mr Johnson has never had any formal recognition.

George 'Johnnie' Johnson in 1962. (SWNS)
George 'Johnnie' Johnson in 1962. (SWNS)

'When you look at what he achieved during the war it is simply incredible but what is even more incredible is the fact that he has never had any official recognition of any kind.

'This is not just about Mr Johnson it is also about recognising everyone who took part in the raid, their bravery was incredible.'

When asked recently about being a hero, George modestly said: 'For me, that word doesn't mean a thing.

'I had a job to do and I did it to the best of my ability, as all of us did. I'm just lucky, firstly, that I got back from the raid and secondly that I am still living.'

George was part of Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy's crew in the Dambusters raid.

After lining up the attack on the Sorpe dam ten times they dropped their 'bouncing bomb' from 30ft and damaged it.

The raid claimed the lives of 53 airmen. The handful of survivors still alive include Les Munro from New Zealand and Frederick Sutherland from Canada.

George married sweetheart Gwyn in 1943, just two months before the raid and they had three children. She died nine years ago.

* You can sign the petition to have George Johnson knighted here*

The Dambuster air raid crew, with George Johnson circled in red. (SWNS)
The Dambuster air raid crew, with George Johnson circled in red. (SWNS)
British Pathe video archive
British Pathe video archive